Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-10-28
TuE NEEDS OF THE INDIAN.



The large audience room of the College
street Congregational church was nearly
filled last evening by those interested in
the welfare of the Indian to listen to the
address given by Mr.. Joshua II. Given, u
member of the Kiowa tribe. The meeting
was held under the auspices of the Wo
mans Indian association of Burlington,
who are labOring earnestly for the welfare
of the redmen. Rev. G. f. Carter intro
duced Mr.. Given, who spoke very inter-
estingly for over an hour on the cOndi-
tions and needs of the Indian. In brief
the speaker said:
come to you tonight to review the
history of the Indians aud the progress
they have made in the last 10 years The
Indian question is one of the most i'm
portant OF the present and with persist
ency that Will not down demands so
luton. The Indians are not ChriStianiHed,
and for years have had no legal status
The only difference between the heather
of this country and those across the ocean
is that you have robbed the one and not
the other. We as race have suffered
greatly for years in the treatment we
have received, aud to this day you cou-
tinue course of treatment which should
bring a blush OF shame to every citizens
face.
What we Indians want now is liberty,
able to the law. The only people whom
you deprive of law and its benefits were
the first owners OF the soil.
Mr.. Given spoke in high terms of the
law passed last winter which allows an
Indian under certain conditions to become
a citizen. He also mentioned several i'll
stances in which the Indians have been
grossly abused, and asked if it was strange
that the Indians regard such cruelties as
uuchrlstian.
10 certain extent the Indian is amen
able to the law. If he should commit an
OFFENCE Gns AGAINST W Fha tr man ne ne
which he belongs is held responsible.
To deny the Indians access to the courts
when in the midst of barbariSm was
one thing; to do it now, is another We
have been removed many times from one
place to another and robbed of our prop
ertv 1t is discouragipg to us to make
permanent Improvements and then lose
them.
If you wish us to abandon our rowing
lite, you must give us homes which may
not be taken from us The Indians are
peaceful and just in their dealings with
each other. The various tribes in New
York and other Eastern States are eX-
amples of this.
Good legislation and Christian education
must be employed to civilize the Indian,
which many ignorantly believe to be a
remote possibility.
1t has been eight years since the gov
eminent took hold in the right manner.
The effect has been good not only upon
the children, but also the adults who have
been induced to ask for lands in severalty.
This is his only hope when an
opportunity is given they will show
their white brothers their readiness
to adopt civilized ways, and herein
lies the solution of the Indian question.
The schools in Pennsylvania and Virginia
are among the most potent factors in
bringing the Indians to civilization,
Never has their progress been greater than
now.
In conclusion Mr.. Given spoke in glow
ing terms of the work of the Carlisle
school and the effect it was having upon
the Indians, giving many strong argu-
ments for the continuance of education
away from the reservation, in the midst of
the civilization of the East.
Rev. +. p. Gould followed with few
brief remarks, calling attention the work
of the National Womans Indian assocla-
ton and what it had accomplished and
appealing for its support.